East Bluff man convicted of residential burglary and sexual abuse

PEORIA — An East Bluff man was found guilty after a two-day trial on Wednesday of illegally entering a home and sexually abusing a young girl.

Demarco T. Comer, 39, of 1117 E. Corrington Ave., was convicted by a Peoria County jury of residential burglary, criminal trespass to a residence and aggravated criminal sexual abuse in connection with the March 9 incident.

Jurors acquitted him of another charge of residential burglary and aggravated criminal sexual abuse. He now faces at least four and possibly up to 22 years in prison — if Circuit Judge Kevin Lyons opts for consecutive prison terms — when sentenced Aug. 22.

Comer was accused of entering 510 NE Washington St., Apt. 56, sometime before 6 a.m. When a woman inside went to an upstairs bedroom to check on several children who were sleeping there, she testified she saw Comer in a closet. He pushed her out of the way and then ran out of the room, she told jurors.

The sexual abuse charges stem form Comer abusing the children. He remains in custody at the Peoria County Jail.